Crib block and structure

ABSTRACT

Integral structural unit constituting a block for constructing concrete crib retaining walls and the like of open and closed face construction. Each structural unit comprises two parallel end panels made of concrete and joined by a connecting arm integral therewith of massive proportions holding the panels in spaced fixed relationship. The structural units are provided with interlocking surfaces constituting a running lip on each lower edge of each panel or an interlock formed by the connecting arm itself for locking the panels in stacked relationship forming double walled structures. The panels&#39;&#39;connecting arms have a generally trapezoidal cross-section that coacts with fill in the bin or space formed between the panels of the structural units or blocks. These blocks may be employed for building straight structures or tank-like structures with straight walls or curved walls.

United States Patent [191 ONeill et al.

[451 Apr. 15, 1975 CRIB BLOCK AND STRUCTURE [76] Inventors: Raymond J.ONeill, l1 Chippewa Rd., Yonkers, N.Y.; George David Newell, 119 HeleneRd., Valley Cottage, NY. 10989 [22] Filed: Oct. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:403,776

2,736,188 2/1956 Wilhelm t 52/606 X 3,382.632 5/1968 Grofcsik r 52/606 XFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 255,912 11/1927 ltaly 52/606 PrimaryExaminerJacob Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Burns; Emmanuel.l. Lo'bato; Bruce L. Adams [57] ABSTRACT Integral structural unitconstituting a block for constructing concrete crib retaining walls andthe like of open and closed face construction. Each structural unitcomprises two parallel end panels made of concrete and joined by aconnecting arm integral therewith of massive proportions holding thepanels in spaced fixed relationship. The structural units are providedwith interlocking surfaces constituting a running lip on each lower edgeof each panel or an interlock formed by the connecting arm itself forlocking the panels in stacked relationship forming double walledstructures. The panelsconnecting arms have a generally trapezoidal.cross-section that coacts with fill in the bin or space formed betweenthe panels of the structural units or blocks. These blocks may beemployed for building straight structures or tank-like structures withstraight walls or curved walls.

10 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRI SIBYS STONE FILL HIGHEST HIGHWATER LEVEL MEAN WATER LEVEL SCOUR PAD POLYHLTER X PATENTEBAPR 1 5191sFIG. /9

sntusp g FIG. 20 TITEY ETTT STORAGE TANK ET EZJLM FIG. 22

CRIB BLOCK AND STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates generally to concrete crib retaining walls and similarstructures and more particularly to cribbing units or blocks forconstructing different types of walls and other structures.

Various types of concrete crib retaining walls have been developed.These walls must resist the same forces as gravity and cantileverretaining walls. The stability against sliding depends upon anchorageand the method of anchorage gives rise to various variations inconstruction.

There are generally two types of anchorage of headers used in thesewalls, namely, the fishtaiF and the continuous back wall. Generally, theanchorage is not integral with the other parts of structural units forthese walls and articulation is accomplished usually with dowels orconcrete lugs.

Curved walls up to about 20 can be built without special units. However,the building of curved walls requires special units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the presentinvention to provide a new and improved concrete crib retaining wallstructural unit or block for building retaining walls and otherstructures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a single pieceunit or block which is reversible which can be used for-constructingopen and closed face walls and different types of facings.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofconstruction of the new blocks so that the form for manufacturing theblocks can be easily varied with respect to certain structural featuresof the block and the same form used for constructing the differentblocks.

Another feature of the present invention is the construction of theblocks with elements thereof having a configuration that maintains a lowcenter of gravity and these elements are tapered and cooperate with thefill within the bin formed by the blocks to wedge them in place.

Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of astructural unit which can be varied in configuration for making straightdouble-wall structures or those having curvature including completelycircular or tank-like structures.

The structural unit according to the invention is for use in theconstruction of crib retaining walls and the like with other similarunits in a stacked relationship. Each unit is constructed as a singlepiece or integral unit comprising two rigid laterally spaced side panelsdisposed extending axially parallel to each other. A massive rigidconnecting arm is disposed extending between the opposed inner surfacesof the side panels and integral therewith, holding the two side panelsin relative fixed positions.

The units are provided with interlocking elements constructed either asa running underside lip on each of the side panels or a lip rshoulderprovided by the connecting arm. The side panels and theconnecting arm have a generally trapezoidal cross-section.

The structures constructed by the units according to the inventioncomprise a plurality of superposed structural units or blocks with theblocks laid in courses or tiers. A lip of each panel overlies the upperinner marginal surface of a lower unit immediately underlying it therebyinterlocking the structural units. The units disposed end-on-end to formeither straight or arcuate double-walled structures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of thesingle piece structural unit or block and the structures formedtherewith according to the invention, will be apparent from thedisclosure and appended claims and drawings in which;

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a wall structure constructedwith structural units or blocks according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a block according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the block in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of blocks accordingto the invention illustrating a marine structure;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a form for constructing the structuralblocks of the type illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a single-piecestructural unit according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the structural unit illustrated inFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section view of a retaining wall structure constructedaccording to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of a structure constructed with structuralunits according to the invention and illustrates the units used forconstructing a corner;

FIG. 11 is'a plan view of a block according to the invention for use inconstructing a corner of structures according to'the invention;

FIG. 12 is 'anend view of the structural unit illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an end elevation view of the structural unit illustrated inFIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a third embodiment of single-piece structuralunits according to the invention and illustrates their assembly thereof;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the units and structure illustratedin FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an end elevation view of a structure constructed with afourth embodiment of structural units according to the invention;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the structural units illustrated inconstructing the structure in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the structural unit in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary plan view of a double-walled circular structureconstructed with embodiments of the single-piece structural unitaccording to the invention;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a rectangular structure according to theinvention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of a structuralunit according to the invention;

FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of a structure constructed withstructural units of a type illustrated in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is an underside plan view of the structural unit illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 22;

FIG. 24 is a section view taken along section line 2424 in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of structural units and a structureconstructed therewith on a miniature scale according to the invention;

FIG. 26 is an end elevation view of the units and structure illustratedin FIG. 25.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION While the structural units orblocks according to the invention will be illustrated hereinafter withrespect to concrete crib retaining walls and other structures, it willbe understood that the application of the blocks is not limited to thestructures illustrated. Thus, the individual structural units can beused as forms for pouring in concrete or asphalt applications. They canbe used for making different types of retaining walls, dams, cutoffwalls, levees, dikes, dividers, sea walls, bridge abutments, underwaterforms for concrete pier construction, pipeline supports and as drainagebasins placed below grade permitting percolation of water to take placethrough the walls between the units into the surrounding earth.Moreover, individual units can be used in decorative applications suchas planters in which flowers or trees may be planted within the binformed by one or several of the units hereinafter described.

As illustrated in the drawing, individual blocks or structural units 10according to the invention comprise a front panel 11 and a rear panel 12made of reinforced concrete. The two panels are disposed extendingaxially parallel and are held rigidly in fixed relative positions by amassive connecting arm 13 made of reinforced concrete and connecting thetwo parallel panels along their opposed inner surfaces as illustrated inthe drawing. In the illustrated panel, the from panel 11 has a facingsurface 14 which has been molded with decorative surfacing thereon. Itis understood, however, that the panels may both have decorative facingsurfaces or may not so that the blocks may be reversed in position inthe event that one facing surface of one of the panels is better thanthe other. In the structures to be illustrated and described, it will beseen that the rear panel 12 functions as an anchorage which is integralwith the front panel 11.

The two panels of each of the structural units are provided withrespective running axial lips 12a. The individual lips 11a, 12a, extendaxially of the corresponding panel and are actually a downwardlyextending extension of the inner opposed surfaces of the two parallelpanels. The massive connecting arm 13 has a lower edge 13a flush withthe lower surfaces of the lips or projections on the two panels.

The structures constructed with the single-piece structural units 10 areconstructed by superposing the structural units in overlying courses ortiers as illustrated in FIG. 1. The overlying structural units 10overlying a course of units are disposed staggered with respect to theunderlying units. The structural units may be disposed with spaces 16between the units. The next overlying course of units have a staggeredposition and overlie the spaces so that the spaces between panels arelikewise in staggered relationship. These spaces 16 may form weep holesin a wall. The anchorage or back panels 12 of the structural units aredisposed in end-to-end relationship with spaces 17 therebetween. In theevent that a small fill is to be used in filling the bins or spaceformed between the panels of the individual elements a piece of plastic18 may be placed around the adjoining panels 12 of adjacent units toprevent any seepage of the fill. Of course, the size of the spaces 16,17 can be any desired width according to the fill used and theconditions in which the wall is used. It will be understood that in theevent that a wall structure is to be con structed without weep holes orspaces 16, 17 the adjoining panels of the adjoining structural units canbe placed abutting each other and may be sealed with epoxy or some othersealant to form closed wall structures Structures are interlocked andkept from shifting outwardly relative to each other by the lips 11a, 12aof the side panels 11, 12. The front side and back side panels 11, 12have flat underside surfaces 11b, 12b that overlie and rest on the uppersurfaces 110, 12: of the underlying structural unit. The lips 11a, 12aextend downwardly along the marginal portions of the upper end of theinner opposed surfaces of the two panels and preclude a shift of thestructural units in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the arm13. Thus, the lips 11a, 120 function as interlocks for the units.

The side panels ll, 12 and the connecting arm 13 each have a generallytrapezoidal cross-section. These elements are tapered and divergedownwardly so that the center of gravity of each structural unit isaccordingly lower than it would be if the elements had a generallyrectangular configuration. Furthermore, the trapezoidal configurationassists in improving the stability of a structure constructed with thestructural units 10. As indicated heretofor, the bins or spaces formedbetween the panels of the blocks 10 when arranged in superposed coursesare filled with a fill according to the desired conditions. The fill maybe of different dimensions. The massive structure of the connecting armallows the use of relatively bulky fill within the bins. The downwardlytapered configuration of the surfaces of the connecting arm and theinner opposed surfaces of the panels provide converging surfaces for thefill that tend to wedge the units downwardly and laterally with respectto the side panels, greatly improving the stability of a structureconstructed with the blocks 10.

The blocks 10 may be constructed so that the facings 14 of the variouscourses are flush. They may also likewise be constructed so that thefacings 14 are not flush with respect from one course to the next sothat the facings 14 overhang the next lower facings or underlyingfacings of the underlying course of units. Thus, the underside surfaces11b, 12b of the panels form drip edges.

The blocks 10 according to the invention may be used in flood controland river engineering projects. An example of such a structure isillustrated in FIG. 4. In this instance, a wall structure 20. The wallis constructed of blocks 10 made of concrete as heretofor described anddisposed along the edge of a bank to protect the bank from the scouringaction of water from a river, for example. As illustrated, the wall 20is an armor for the bank and is tilted in the direction of the bank andis constructed sufficiently high to protect the bank from conditions ofa mean water level to the highest water level.

The wall 20 is illustrated as being constructed of blocks without afooting. However, the lowermost block can have a concrete footing, notshown, underlying it with a lowermost course of blocks seated orembedded therein. Furthermore, the anchorage panels or rear panels mayhave a long anchor bolt, not shown, extending from the footing to theuppermost surface of a back panel of the uppermost course of blocks 10.

As can be seen, the wall can be provided with a scour pad at the footthereof and stone fill fills the bins or spaces formed between thedouble-wall structure as illustrated. Other beach protective measuressuch as the use of a polyfilter X may be employed. The front side of thewall structure is illustrated in FIG. 5.

The blocks or units can be constructed quite readily a form 25illustrated in FIG. 6. A section or elongated tank 26, and a secondsection or tank 27 for forming or molding the two panels of a block. Atrough 28 open for filling with concrete joins the two sections 26,27.The two end tanks 26,27 are provided with covers 26a, 270 which areremovable so that the finished blocks can easily be removed from theform or form removed from them. The form 25 is provided along the trough28 with an intermediate section 29 that can be replaced with othersimilarly constructed sections of different axial lengths so that theconnecting arm 13 of the blocks can be made of different lengths for thesame size panels 11,12. The form is obviously made of a suitable metal.

A second embodiment of a block constructed according to the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, in this instance the block sidepanels 30,31 are of similar construction and made of reinforced concreteas before described. Two connecting arms 32, 33 spaced laterally fromeach other hold the two side panels spaced from each other in a rigidfixed relationship. The two connecting arms are made as massivestructures and are constructed of a generally trapezoidal cross-sectionas are the side panels. The blocks of the second embodiment areotherwise constructed similarly to the first embodiment of the block andare used to construct similar structures. As can readily be seen in FIG.7, the space between the connecting arms 32,33 readily adapts itself forbeing partially filled with a suitable fill and the block may be usedindividually as a planter, for plants or the like.

A third embodiment of a block or structural unit according to theinvention, is illustrated in FIG. 9 in which a wall 35 is constructedwith the outer walls and an inner or intermediate wall structure asillustrated. In this instance, individual units have outermost panels36,37 with an intermediate panel 38 joined by connecting arms 39,40 tothe opposed inner surfaces of the outermost panels 36,37. Theintermediate panel 38 likewise has a trapezoidal cross-section and onlya single lip on the underside thereof as shown in FIG. 9. The blocks aresuperposed over each other to construct a wall, in this case illustratedas a flood control or bank protection system. The use of the three wallsprovides for spaces alongside each other for fill providing for a verystable and strong triple-walled structure.

Provision is made in the invention for turning corners in structuresconstructed according to the invention. For this purpose provision ismade by a corner block 43 two parallel side panels 44,45 and an endpanel 46 joining one end of the side panels 44, 45. A massive connectingarm 47 centrally located as before described joins the two parallelpanels and is integral therewith. The three panels of the corner panel43 each have a trapezoidal configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and13. Moreover, each panel has a downwardly extending lip 44a, 45a, 46a.The connecting arm 47 is likewise trapezoidal in cross-section.

A wall structure 50 illustrated in FIG. 10 has a plurality of courses ofblocks and the corners are formed by corner blocks 43 superposed overeach other. It will be understood that the side panels and end panel ofeach of the corner blocks cooperate with the respective correspondingpanels over which they are disposed as before described. The interlockfunctions in the same manner. Furthermore, in this instance, theconnecting arm 47 has a lip 47a running axially thereof so that itoverlies the underlying connecting arm of an underlying course cornerblocks. The remainder of the wall is constructed with block 10 of thetype described heretofor except that the connecting arm 47 can have alip 47a adjacent two notches 44b, 45b in the two side lips 44a, 45a, ofthe side panels for locking the corner panels with underlying cornerpanels as shown in FIG. 10 and 12.

In the embodiments heretofor described, the two side panels have beenconstructed of equal length. A fourth embodiment is illustrated in FIG.14 and can be used to make triple-walled structures as illustrated inthis figure or of the type disclosed and illustrated in FIG. 9. In thisinstance, a plurality of individual blocks are used to construct anoverall triple wall structure 56. Each block 55 comprises a longer sidepanel 57with a shorter side panel 58 joined by a massive connecting arm59.

The side panels and the connecting arm have a generally trapezoidalconfiguration as before described and the two side panels are providedwith lower interlock lips of the type described with respect to thefirst embodiment.

In order to form the structure 56, the blocks 55 are arranged with theshorter panels 58 aligned with each other and forming an inner wallbetween the two outermost walls formed by the longer panels. This typeof arrangement provides for a series of bins or spaces substantiallydoubled to those in a double-wall construction so that the stability ofthe wall structure 55 is greatly enhanced A fifth embodiment accordingto the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 16-18 inclusive. According tothis embodiment, a block 60 is constructed with two side panels 61,62 oftrapezoidal cross-section as in the first embodiment described. Amassive connecting arm 63 rigidly connects the two side panels and holdsthem laterally spaced in parallel relationship. The entire unit is madeintegral and of reinforced concrete as are the other embodimentsdescribed. In this embodiment, the two side panels 61,62 are free oflower axial downwardly extending lips as can be seen in FIG. 16. In thisinstance the connecting arm 63 extends downwardly as can be seen inFIGS. 16 and 18 and provides the interlock for limiting the relativeside movement of the locks with respect to each other in a wallstructure 65.

In the embodiments here described the massive connecting arm of thevarious blocks has flat sides which are tapered and diverge downwardly.In this embodiment, the connecting arm 63 extends downwardly to form aprojection 63a that forms the interlock. The sides of this projectionare generally flat and then merge with concave sides 63b, 630. Theconcave sides are configured to receive fill therein developing a forcedownwardly to increase the stability and center of gravity of theindividual elements and wall structure 65.

A sixth embodiment of a block according to the invention is illustratedin FIGS. 21 and 22. In this instance, a block 70 is made of reinforcedconcrete as all of the embodiments and comprises two side panels 71,72and a massive connecting arm 73. The connecting arm in this instancecomprises two flat sides 73a,73b that are tapered and diverge and mergewith surfaces 73c,73d that diverge outwardly more than the other twoside surfaces 73a,73b. Thus, the connecting arm has a massive basegreatly improving the stability of the block 70. Furthermore, the flatdiverging lower surfaces 73c,73d provide a load support surface on whichthe fill tends to rest so that a wall structure 75 constructed therewithwill necessarily have a very high stability.

A seventh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24.A block 80 is illustrated in FIG. 23 and more particularly the undersidethereof. This block has two parallel side panels 81, 82 held in fixedrelative relationship by a massive connecting arm 83 made integral withthe inner opposed surfaces of the two side panels. The block is a blockused for turning corners and each panel has notches such as at 81a, 81bfor engaging underlying blocks. The connecting arm 83 is provided with anotch 83a transversely thereof for a keeper or the like to lock it inposition when the wall is staggered or for passage of a conduit, pipe orcable. Each of the side panels 81,82 is free of a lower lip and theconnecting arm 83 functions as the interlock between the two superposedblocks 80. The ends 81a, 81b can be made any shape desired, for examplebevelled, without destroying the interlocking of the units.

It is readily apparent that the embodiments of the blocks heretofordescribed can be used for making different types of structures. Theblocks 55 illustrated in FIG. 14 may be used for making straight wallstructures or rectangular structures. A particular adaptation of thistype of construction is illustrated in FIG. 19. Thus, it can be shownthat a plurality of blocks 90 constructed along the configurationillustrated in FIG. 14 may be arranged in a circular configuration tomake a tubular structure 92 about a storage tank 93. In this instancethe smaller side panels provide an inner wall and the larger onesprovide an outer wall for the structure 92.

A rectangular structure 100 is illustrated in FIG. circumferentially ofa tank 101. The structure 100 is made of blocks which can be made of oneof the other embodiments heretofor described.

The blocks according to any of the embodiments may be made in miniaturefor planning of the individual structures and arrangements. Thus,miniature blocks 110 are illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26 for building aminiature structure as shown. The blocks are constructed according toone of the embodiments before described.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the miniature blocks maylikewise be used as toys for building toy structures.

What we claim and desire to secure by letters patent l. A structuralunit for use in the construction of cribbing, retaining walls and thelike with other similar units in a stacked relationship, each unitcomprising two massive, rigid, laterally spaced side panels disposedextending axially parallel to each other, the panels defining a spacetherebetween open at opposite ends of the panels, a massive rigidconnecting arm of lesser height than the panels disposed extendingbetween opposed inner surfaces of the side panels and integral therewithholding the two side panels in relative fixed positions, said panels andsaid arm each have a generally trapezoidal cross section, and havingopposite sides, including an inner side diverging inwardly in adirection toward a lower end of said unit, interlock means extendingdownwardly on lower edges of said unit for extending downwardly adjacentupper marginal surfaces of an upper edge of the panels of an immediatelyunderlying structural panel for thereby interlocking two of thestructural units when su'perposed, said interlock means comprising adownwardly extending portion of said connecting arm extending downwardlybelow a lower surface of each panel, and comprising a lip on each panelextending downwardly from the inner surface of the corresponding panel,said lip being disposed for extending downwardly adjacent an upper innermarginal surface of an upper edge of a panel of an immediatelyunderlying structural panel thereby interlocking the structural units.

2. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retainingwalls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationshipaccording to claim 1, in which said interlock means comprises adownwardly extending portion of said connecting arm extending downwardlybelow a lower surface of each panel.

3. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retainingwalls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationshipaccording to claim 1, in which said interlock means comprises a lip oneach panel extending downwardly from the inner surface of thecorresponding panel, said lips being disposed for extending downwardlyadjacent an upper inner marginal surface of an upper edge of a panel ofan immediately underlying structural panel thereby interlocking thestructural units.

4. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retainingwalls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationshipaccording to claim 1, in which one panel is shorter than the other.

5. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retainingwalls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationshipaccording to claim 1, in which said two panels are of substantiallyequal axial lengths and of alike cross sections.

6. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retainingwalls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationshipaccording to claim 1, in which said panels and said arm each have agenerally trapezoidal cross section.

7. A structure comprising, a plurality of superposed structural unitsdisposed in staggered relationship, each structural unit comprising twomassive, rigid laterally spaced side panels disposed extending axiallyparallel to each other, the panels defining a space therebetween open atopposite ends of the panels, each structural unit having a massive rigidconnecting arm of lesser height than the panels disposed extendingbetween opposed inner surfaces of the side panels integral therewithholding the two side panels in fixed relative positions, said panels andsaid arm each have a generally trapezoidal cross section, and havingopposite sides, including an inner side diverging inwardly in adirection 8. A structure according to claim 7 in which said panels ofsaid structural units have flat faces and define a space therebetween.

9. A structure according to claim 7, in which said panels of theindividual panels are of equal length and height.

10. A structure according to claim 7, in which said panels of theindividual panels are of unequal lengths and of the same height.

1. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retainingwalls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationship,each unit comprising two massive, rigid, laterally spaced side panelsdisposed extending axially parallel to each other, the panels defining aspace therebetween open at opposite ends of the panels, a massive rigidconnecting arm of lesser height than the panels disposed extendingbetween opposed inner surfaces of the side panels and integral therewithholding the two side panels in relative fixed positions, said panels andsaid arm each have a generally trapezoidal cross section, and havingopposite sides, including an inner side diverging inwardly in adirection toward a lower end of said unit, interlock means extendingdownwardly on lower edges of said unit for extending downwardly adjacentupper marginal surfaces of an upper edge of the panels of an immediatelyunderlying structural panel for thereby interlocking two of thestructural units when superposed, said interlock means comprising adownwardly extending portion of said connecting arm extending downwardlybelow a lower surface of each panel, and comprising a lip on each panelextending downwardly from the inner surface of the corresponding panel,said lip being disposed for extending downwardly adjacent an upper innermarginal surface of an upper edge of a panel of an immediatelyunderlying structural panel thereby interlocking the structural units.2. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retainingwalls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationshipaccording to claim 1, in which said interlock means comprises adownwardly extending portion of said connecting arm extending downwardlybelow a lower surface of each panel.
 3. A structural unit for use in theconstruction of cribbing, retaining walls and the like with othersimilar units in a stacked relationship according to claim 1, in whichsaid interlock means comprises a lip on each panel extending downwardlyfrom the inner surface of the corresponding panel, said lips beingdisposed for extending downwardly adjacent an upper inner marginalsurface of an upper edge of a panel of an immediately underlyingstructural panel thereby interlocking the structural units.
 4. Astructural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retaining wallsand the like with other similar units in a stacked relationshipaccording to claim 1, in which one panel is shorter than the other.
 5. Astructural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retaining wallsand the like with other similar units in a stacked relationshipaccording to claim 1, in which said two panels are of substantiallyequal axial lengths and of alike cross sections.
 6. A structural unitfor use in the construction of cribbing, retaining walls and the likewith other similar units in a stacked relationship according to claim 1,in which said panels and said arm each have a generally trapezoidalcross section.
 7. A structure comprising, a plurality of superposedstructural units disposed in staggered relationship, each structuralunit comprising two massive, rigid laterally spaced side panels disposedextending axially parallel to each other, the panels defining a spacetherebetween open at opposite ends of the panels, each structural unithaving a massive rigid connecting arm of lesser height than the panelsdisposed extending between opposed inner surfaces of the side panelsintegral therewith holding the two side panels in fixed relativepositions, said panels and said arm each have a generally trapezoidalcross section, and having opposite sides, including an inner sidediverging inwardly in a direction toward a lower end of said unit, eachstructural unit having interlocking means extending on lower edgesthereof extending downwardly adjacent upper marginal surfaces of anupper edge of the panels of an immediately underlying structural panelfor thereby interlocking two of the structural units when superposed,and the connecting arms and panels of next adjacent units defininginterconnecting bins for receiving fill within said bin completelyfilling spaces between opposed panels and next adjacent panels.
 8. Astructure according to claim 7 in which said panels of said structuralunits have flat faces and define a space therebetween.
 9. A structureaccording to claim 7, in which said panels of the individual panels areof equal length and height.
 10. A structure according to claim 7, inwhich said panels of the individual panels are of unequal lengths and ofthe same height.